Optimal Placement of STATCOM using Two Stage Algorithm for Enhancing Power System Static Security

In recent years, there has been a consistent increase in power demand which has resulted in heavy line flows, greater losses, and may threaten system security and stability. The power system consists of diversified loads with rapid variations in its reactive power requirement. STATCOM is a shunt compensator used for fast response when the reactive power of the load is changing rapidly. This paper presents STATCOM modeled as synchronous voltage source. In this work, optimum location and optimal parameters of STATCOM have been determined. The objective is to minimize system power loss by controlling device parameters. In this work, a two-stage approach is proposed for optimal placement of STATCOM. In the first stage, optimal location of STATCOM is obtained by generalized approach which is based on sensitivity analysis and in the second stage STATCOM parameter setting is done using Newton- Raphson (N-R) power flow technique. This approach is implemented on 14-bus test system. Voltages in the network, power flows and power loss before and after placing the STATCOM have been compared. It is observed that, after placement of STATCOM voltage profile is improved and power loss is minimized in the system. Proposed algorithm is implemented in MATLAB.